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One of the most convenient kitchen appliances we found is the slow cooker. A slow cooker allows you to make your food easily, with no fear that your food will get burnt. It also gives you the ease that you need when cooking.
With the rise in the number of people who use the slow cooker, it is only normal that there may be questions on the use of the slow cooker, from time to time. A question we found common among many people, is what to do when the slow cooker is accidentally on warm. Do you have a similar question? We have provided all the information you need in this article.
If you accidentally leave your slow cooker on warm, you should not panic. All you need to do is turn it off and on again. This will reset the timer and it will come back to normal.
The slow cooker is commonly known as a crock-pot. It is a cooking pot, however, it is typically made of various materials, such as metal, ceramic, or other materials. It has a heating element, often on the side or at the bottom, because it is an electric device. Read further to learn what you have to do when a slow cooker is accidentally left on warm.
Accidentally Left Slow Cooker On Warm
It also includes a lid that is constructed of comparable materials and has a low-pressure construction to keep moisture inside the pot. The slow cooker is made to be convenient, to make cooking simpler, and to eliminate worries about food burning. Different slow cooker brands have their features and programming. But one thing all slow cookers have in common is that they take longer to prepare food.
How does the slow cooker works? It works by gently releasing heat, so the food can cook slower than usual. This means moisture doesn’t leave on time when you cook with the slow cooker. As a result of this, a slow cooker is good for dishes such as soup, sauce, and other wet food.
However, it may not be your perfect option for dry food such as roasts, fried goods, etc. for best results, it is always advised that a slow cooker is placed at a low temperature, for certain recipes. This is because low temperature gives the food room to release all its flavor and make your food tender.
Cooking With Your Slow Cooker
Also, there are food recipes that warrant being cooked at high temperatures. You should cook your food at a high temperature if it is meant to be cooked on it.
Aside from the low and high heat, the “warm” feature is another feature of the slow cooker. However, unlike others, the warm feature is one that a lot of people are wary of. The “warm” is designed to keep your cooked food hot and is not meant to cook your food. many people accidentally put their food on warm, while it is being cooked and do not know what next to do.
If you mistakenly put the slow cooker on warm, all you need to do is turn it off and turn it back on, it will go back to its default setting, and you can continue your cooking process. However, if you make use of a slow cooker that is designed with a safety feature, it might lock the lid, making it difficult for you to open. If this occurs, we suggest you consult a professional who can help in opening it.
This doesn’t make the warm feature bad. The warming feature keeps food at 145 degrees F, which is enough to keep the food warm for a while. However, it is not designed to cook your food, but to keep it warm. It is advised that you only keep your food on “warm” for only 2 to 4 hours.
The USDA considers 40 to 140 degrees F as Danger Zone, which means bacteria can begin to grow fast when food is kept at this temperature for a long.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Leave The Keep-Warm Setting On Overnight?
Yes, you can keep your food in a warm setting through the night. However, it is not advised that you do so. this is because some cooker pots go off after being on for about 4 hours. If this happens, your food may become spoilt before you wake up. We suggest you first find out what type of slow cooker you are purchasing. We also recommend that you move your food to the fridge if you will not be eating it for up to 10 hours.
When Should I Not Use The Warm Feature?
Although the warm feature can be good for some food, such as soup. It should not be used for food that is meant to be crispy. Keeping crispy food warm in the slow cooker can make it moist and lose its crispiness.
Final Thoughts
A slow cooker is a great appliance to have in the kitchen. It helps you to cook with convenience, with fewer worries.
There is nothing to worry about if your slow cooker falls on “warm”. If the lid refuses to open as a result of the safety features, ensure you consult a professional and do not force it open. Keep your food on warm for only 2 to 4 hours, to prevent bacteria from growing in it.
